Thermocouple and pilot burner



H. A. MANTZ THERMOCOUPLE AND PILOT BURNER Filed April 13, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR. flea/"06d Mam I2 BY ATTORNEYS. 2?,

Dec. 30, 1941.

H. A. MANTZ THERMOCOUPLE AND PILOT BURNER Filed April 13, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fig -INVENTOR. Harold QflKMa/u'fl BY Jaw/u 1012411 ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 30, 1941. H. A. MANTZ THERMOCOUPLE AND PILOT BURNER Filed April 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

12 0mm ci 0% ffani'z PNT 2,267,742 moccasin m rILo'r BURNER Application April 13, 1939, Serial No. 267,733

Ila

.This invention relates to a thermocouple and pilot burner.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a combined thermocouple and pilot burner which is efi'ectiveand reliable in operation and, at the same time, is simple and compact in construction and relatively inexpensive to build, assemble, and install.

It isalso'an object of the invention to provide a thermocouple and pilot burner as a unitary assembly that may be mounted as a unit, and in which the desired position of the thermocouple relative to the pilot flame is at all times as- "sured; also a d vice of the character set forth having an improjyed relation and improved forms of connection between the various parts.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 13 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 12; and

Figures'l4, l5, and 16 are longitudinal sections through further'embodiments ofthe invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a hollowmetallic pilot head 5. An internal metallic tubular thermocouple member t is screwed at 1 onto the pilot head 5. Disposed in spaced relation about the internal thermocouple element is an external metallic tubular thermocouple element 8 formed of dissimilar material with respect to the internal thermocouple element, as well understood in the art, and open at its inner end at t.

The outer ends of the internal and external thermocouple elements 5 and t have registering Figure 1 is 'a detail longitudinal section through a combined thermocouple and pilot burner embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 1; J

Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 1, through another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is an end view oiv the device'shown in Figure 3; g

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5A is a section similar to Figure 5, showing an alternative form or lead connection for the device shown in Figure 5;

Figure 6 is an end view of the device shown in figure 5;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7A is a section similar to Figure 2', show ing an alternative form of lead connection for the device shown in Figure Figure 8 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9A is a section similar to Figure 9, showing an alternative form oilead connectionior the device shown in Figiue ii;

Figure 10 is an end view oi the device shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a longitudinal section throughianother embodiment oi the invention; V

Figure 12 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the invention;

burner. The external thermocouple-element 8 isprovided with a plurality of relatively large lat-- erally. opening ports l2, and the internal thermocouple element 5 is provided with a plurality of ports i 3 aligned with the ports 52 and of reduced area as compared with the ports i2.

The'fuel supply tube M is provided at its inner end with a compression enlargement at it, and a compression nut it screwed upon the pilot head at i? and cooperating with the compression enlargement l5 clamps the end of the tube it to the pilot head 5 with the interior of the tube it opening into the passage 58 in the pilot head. The outer end of the pilot head is provided with a restricted orifice 2B. The tube ll is metallic and not only supplies fuel to the pilot burner,

' but constitutes a thermo-electxic lead connection for the internal thermocouple element 5, being thermo-electrically connected therewith through the metallic pilot head and the compression nut. I I

The lead tube il may be connected, for example, with one side oi the electromagnet of a safety control device of the general character disclosed in John H. Thornbery and Harold A. Manta Patent No. 2,126,587, grantedAugust 9, 1938, or it may be connected in circuit with any other suitable or preferred device. The interior of the lead tube M is suitably connected with the fuel supply line as shown, for example, in the copending application oi Guido Wunsch and Josef Schuppert, filed August 3, 1934, Serial No.

738,370; also in the copending application of Harold A. Mantz, filed January 8, 1937, Serial No. 119,557; and in the copending application of Theodore A. Wetzel, filed April 12, 1937,'Serlal No. 136,291, or in any other suitable or preferred manner.

Where the fuel is of a character, such as gas, requiring admixture of air therewith, the air necessary to provide the desired gaseous mixture is admitted through air inlets 24 opening laterally through the internal thermocouple element. The air admitted through the inlets 24 and the fuel that issues from the orifice 20 pass outwardly into the mixing chamber 25 formed within the internal thermocouple element 6. The resulting gaseous mixture passes axially through the port In and, when ignited, forms the pilot flame indicated at 26, and also out laterally through the ports i2 and I3 and, when ignited, forms pilot flames 21 which sweep against the outer end of the thermocouple adjacent the hot junction II.

The inner open end of the external tubular element 8 is enlarged at 29, and the enlarged open end 29 has a lateral recess 30 for receiving the bared end of a flexible lead conductor 32 which is joined at 3 4 to the element 8 to form a cold thermal junction. The attachment of the inner end of the internal tubular element 6 to the pilot head forms-a second cold thermal junction at 34.

The flexible lead conductor 32, which is preferably covered with insulation as indicated 'at 35, extends to the position where it is connected in circuit with the other side of the electromagnet of the safety control or other device. In practice, the tubular lead member l4 is preferably sumciently flexible to permit it to be bent or turned to different positions to position the thermocouple and pilot burner as desired, the flexibility of the conductor 32' permitting it to be turned or bent to the position of the thermocouple and pilot burner. At the same time, the lead I4 may be of a character to support he thermocouple and pilot burner after it is bent or turned to the desired position, although, of course, supporting brackets for supporting the thermocouple and pilot burner may be employed and, therefore, are contemplated within the scope of this invention.

In one illustrative use of the device, the pilot burner is mounted in juxtaposition to a main burner (not shown) for the purpose of igniting the same. As long as the pilot flames are burning, the thermo-electric current set up thereby energizes the electromagnet to hold the safety control device in operating position. Upon extinguishment of the pilot flame the electromagnet ceases to be energized sufficiently to hold the safety control device in operating position, and said control device moves to a safety position shutting off the fuel supply to the burner. "This is all fully shown and described in the patent and copending applications herein mentioned, andtherefore detailed illustration and description of thesam will not be repeated here.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, except as will hereinafter appear, is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and like'parts are indicated by primed reference characters corresponding with the reference characters used in Figures 1 and 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bared end of the flexible lead conductor 32, instead of being Joined to the external tubular thermocouple element 8' internally thereof as in the preceding embodiment, is flattened and joined to the element 8' externally thereof at 40 to form a cold thermal junction. A bracket 42 embraces the inner open end of the element 8' and the adjacent end of the lead 32' to hold or assist in holding the lead to the element 8 at the junction 40. The opposite ends of the bracket 42 are turned out and apertured at 43 (Figure 4) for attachment of the bracket to a suitable support, the bracket serving to support the thermocouple and pilot burner in the desired position adjacent the main burner (not'shown).

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the outer end of the metallic tubular fuel supply lead 46 is secured at 41 in a metallic bracket member 48. The fuel supplied by the tube 46, which is preferably flexible to permit bending or turning the same orleading it around corners for disposition of the thermocouple and pilot burner as desired, passes outwardly through a port 49, and when ignited, forms a pilot flame as indicated at 50. The bracket 48 has an integral inverted and generally channel or U-shaped shield 5| which confines the pilot flame so that the hot junction of the thermocouple will be subject to the heat of the pilot flame as long as the pilot burner is lighted.

The thermocouple comprises an external metallic tubular thermocouple element 52 clamped at 53 in the bracket 48 and an internal thermocouple element 54 formed of dissimilar material and joined to the outer end of the external thermocouple element to form a thermal junction 58 adapted to be heated by the pilot 'flame 50. The projecting inner end of the internal thermocouple element 54'is joined at 58 to a conducting lead 59 which extends to the desired position and is connected directly to one lead of the coil of the magnet frame (not shown). The inner end of the external thermocouple element 52 is joined at 59a to a second conducting lead 591) which extends to the desired position and is connected directly to the other lead of the coil of the magnet frame of the electromagnet.

The junctions at 58 and 59a constitute the cold junctions of the thermocouple. The tube 46 is preferably enclosed by an outer tubular casing 60. The lead conductors 59 and 59b preferably extend through the tubular casing 60, although this may vary.

In Figure 5 A the lead conductor 59', instead of extending to the coil of the'electromagnet and being connected with the lead of such coil, may be a short lead connected-to the metallic fuel supply tube 46', this tube 46', in addition to supplying fuel for the burner, then extending to the desired position and being connected to one lead'of the coil of the electromagnet so as to con- In that case,

stitute one of the lead conductors. the spud forming outer end of the tube 46' may be insulated at 300 from the bracket 48' and the lead 591) of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5 may be omitted by connecting the tubular casing 60' in circuit with the external thermocouple element 52 through the bracket 48' so that the casing 60 will then constitute the lead conductor between the other lead of the coil of the electromagnet and the external thermocouple element 52'.

The bracket 48 is clamped at 64 to the outer end of the tubular casing 60 and is supported 2,267,742 of a space heater, hot water heater, orany other suitable heater, or the part indicated at I may be any other suitable support.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the metallic tubular fuel supply tube I5, which is preferably flexible for the purposes hereinbefore set forth, is secured in a jet member I8, which jet member in turn is secured at I6 in the metallic bracket 11. A. venturi I8 is mounted in the bracket II in axial alignment with the orifice I9 at the outer end of the jet member 78 and spaced outwardly therefrom. Where the fuel is of a character, such as gas, requiring admixture of air therewith, the

air necessary to provide the desired gaseous mixture is admitted through an air inlet at 80. The air admitted through the inlet 80 and the fuel that issues from the orifice I8 pass outwardly through the venturi I8 into the mixing chamber .82. The resulting gaseous mixture passes outwardly through a port M at the outer end of the tubular portion of the bracket 17 and, when ignited, forms the pilot flame indicated at 86.

The thermocouple comprises an external metallic tubular thermocouple element 88 secured at 89 in the bracket II and aninternal thermocouple element '90 formed of dissimilar material and joined to the outer end of the external thermocouple element to form a thermal junction 92 adapted to be heated by the pilot flame 86. The projecting inner end of the internal element 90 is joined at 88 to a conducting lead 85 which extends to'the desired position and is connected directly to one lead of the coil of the magnet frame (not shown). Theinner endof the external thermocouple element 88 is. joined at 95a to a second conducting lead 95b which extends to the desired position and is connected directly to the other lead of the coil of the electromagnet.

The junctions at- 88 and 95a constitute the cold junctions of the thermocouple. is preferably enclosed byan outer tubular casing 88. The lead conductors 95 and 95b preferably extend through the casing 96, although this may vary.

In Figure 7A the lead conductor 95', instead of. extending to the coil of the velectromagnet and being connected with the lead of such coil, may be a short lead connected with the metallic fuel supply tube I, this tube I5, in addition to supplying fuel for the burner, then extending to the desired position and being connected to one lead of the coil of the electromagnet. As before, inthat case the spud forming outer end of the tube may be insulated at 302 from the bracket l1 and the lead 851) of the embodi-t ment of the invention shown in Figure '7 may be omitted by connecting the tubular casing 88' in circuit with the external thermocouple element 88' through the bracket 11' so that the casing 86' will constitute the lead conductor between the other lead of the coil of the electromagnet and the external thermocouple element 88'.

The bracket II is clamped at 88 to the outer end of the tubular casing 88 and is supported upon an angular bracket I00, being shown as mounted thereon by means of a screw I02 which cooperates with a slot I03 in the extending leg of the bracket to permit adjustment of the position of the thermocouple and pilot burner. The depending leg of the bracket I00 is secured at I08 to the wall I05, which may be the wall of a space heater, hot water heater, or any other The tube I5 suitable heater, or the part indicated at I 85 may be any other suitable support. j

The outer end of the tubular portion of the bracket H has a narrow slot H0 opening inwardly from the port 88 through which the pilot flame is directed upon the junction 92 of the thermocouple. The bracket II has integral depending fianges II 2 extending down along opposite sides of the thermocouple so that the pilot flame which is directed through the slot I I0 is confined and proper heating of the thermdcouple at all times thereby assured.

' In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the metallic tubular fuel supply lead II5 is secured at H8 in a metallic bracket member IE8. The fuel supplied by the tube II5, which is preferably flexible to permit bending or turning the same or leading it around comers for disposition of the thermocouple and pilot burner as desired, passes outwardly into a passage II8 formed in the depending portion of the bracket H8 and is directed obliquely through an oblique port I20 toward the outer end of the thermocouple. The bracket II8 has an integral inverted or generally channel or U- shaped shield I2I into which the pilot flame,indicated at I22, is directed, so that the hot junction of the thermocouple will be subject to the heat of the pilot flame as long as the pilot burner is lighted.

The thermocouple comprises an external me; talllc tubular: thermocouple element I25 secured at I28 in the bracket H8 and an internal thermocouple element I28 joined to the outer end ofthe external thermocouple. element -to form a thermal junction l30 adapted to be heated by the pilot flame I22. The thermocouple is disposedlongitudinally within the shield I2Ir, and

the projecting inner end of the internal thermocouple element I28 is joined at I35 to a conducting lead I38 which extends to the desired position and is connected directly to one leadof the coil of the electromagnet. The inner end of the external thermocouple element I25 is'joined at I36a to a second lead conductor I36b which extends to the desired position and is connected to the other lead of the coilof the electromagnet. A suitable helically wound or other flexible metallic casing I38-encloses the tube H5. The conductors I38 and I35b may extend through the casing I38, although this may vary. The junctions at I35 and- I361: constitute the cold junctionsof the thermocouple.

In Figure 9A the lead conductor I36, instead of extending to the coil,of the electromagnet and being connected with the lead of said coil, may be a short lead conductor connected to the metallic fuel supply tube I I5, this tube, in 'addition to supplying fuel for the burner, then extending to the desired position and being'connected to/ one lead of the coil of the electromagnet so as to constitute one of the lead conductors. In that case, as before, the outer end of the tube 5' may be insulated at 304 from the bracket H8, and the lead I 36b of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 9 may be omitted by connecting the tubular casing I38 in circuit with the external thermocouple element I25 through the bracket H8, so that the casing I38 will constitute the lead conductor between the other lead of the coil of the electromagnet and the external thermocouple'element I25.

The bracket m is lamped at 142 to the outer end of the tubular casin I38. The flexible tubular casing I38 serves to sup lt the thermocouple 1 and pilot burner in the desired position notwithstanding its flexibility and the flexibility of the tubular lead II5, but it is to be understood that supporting bracket means may be provided as suitable or desired.

. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 11, the thermocouple comprises an external tubular metallic thermocouple element I50 and an internal tubular thermocouple element I52 of dissimilar material disposed within the element I50 and joined to the outer end of the external element to form a thermal junction at I54 adapted to be heated by the pilot flame.

The internal metallic tubular lead I56 is joined at its forward end to the interior of the inner end of the internal thermocouple element I52 at I51 and is disposed coaxially' with respect to the element I52. The tubular lead conductor I56 is enclosed within an external metallic tubular lead conductor I58, being insulated therefrom by insulation indicated at I60, and the outer end of the lead conductor I58 is joined to the inner end of the external element I50 at I62. The junctions at I51 and I62 constitute the cold junctions of the thermocouple.

The lead conductors I56 and I56 are connected at their opposite ends to the terminals of the safety control or other device as previously described, and the inner lead conductor is connected with th fuel supply line as previously set forth or otherwise, and supplies fuel to the pilot burner. At its forward end the internal lead I56 has an axial orifice I65 through which the fuel chamber I66 within the passes into the mixing internal element I52. Where the fuel is of a character, such as gas, requiring admixture of air therewith, the air necessary to form the desired gaseous mixture is admitted through air inlets I66 which open laterally through the thermocouple elements I50 and I52, as shown. The gaseous mixture of air admitted through the inlet I68 and fuel that issues from the orifice I65 pass outwardly through a port I at the outer end of the internal element I52, and, when ignited, forms the pilot flame indicated at 12.v A tubular metallic heat conductor I14, secured at its inner end to the thermocouple adjacent the junction I54, projects outwardly from the outer end of the internal element I52 and conducts heat from the pilot flame I12 inwardly to the junction I54 as long as the pilot flame is buming.

The device shown in Figure 11 is adapted to b connected in circuit with the electromagnet of the safety control or other device and to be used in the manner set forth in connection with the preceding embodiments of the invention.-

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 12 and 13, the inner metallic fuel supply tube I90 is secured at I9I in the inner end of the metallic body member I92. The body member I92 has an internal passage I93, in the outer end of which the jet member I94 is secured at I95. The fuel supplied by the tube I90 passes through an orifice I96 into the passage I93.

Where air is desired, it is admitted through air inlets I98. The air and fuel pass outwardly into the mixing chamber 200 and the gaseous mixture issues from an axial port 2M and lateral ports 202, and, when ignited, forms the pilot flames at 203 and 204.

The thermocouple comprises a pair of thermocouple elements 206 and 201 of generally U- shaped form and disposed with one at generally right angles to and within the other.

inner ends the legs of the thermocouple elements 206 and 201 are clamped at 206 to the inner end of the body member I92, with the ends of the outer element 206 in contact with or joined to the metallic bracket 209 and the inner ends of the legs of the inner thermocouple element 201 in contact withor joined to the metallic body member I92. Insulation at 2I0 insulates the inner ends of the outer thermocouple element and bracket 209 from the inner ends of the inner thermocouple element and body member I92.

The outer ends of the thermocouple elements are joined to form a thermal junction 2 I 2 adapted to be heated by the pilot flame 204. The metallic tube I90, which connects one side of the control or other device to the thermocouple element 201 through the body I92, is insulated at outer metallic tubular lead 2I5.

At their joined at 266 2, and the insulated tube is enclosed within an The lead 2I5 is joined to the bracket 209 at 2I6 and connects the other side of the control or other device to the thermocouple element 206 through the bracket 209.

In the-embodiment illustrated in Figure 14, the thermocouple comprises an inner metallic tubular thermocouple element 225 and an outer tubular metallic thermocouple element 226 joined to the inner element 225 toform a thermal junction 226 adapted to be heated by the pilot bumer. A metallic jet member 230 joined to the inner end of the inner thermocouple element at 232, with the junction at 232 constituting one of the cold junctions of the thermocouple, has an orifice 233 opening axially into the mixing chamber 234 formed within the element 225.

The metallic fuel supply tube 236 is joined to the jet member 232 at 236 and delivers fuel into the internal thermocouple element through the orifice 233. Air, where desired, is admitted through ports 239 in the outer thermocouple element and ports 240 in the inner thermocouple element, and the gaseous mixture] or other fuel passes outwardly through an axial port 242 and lateral port 243 and, when ignited, forms the a pilot flames 244 and 245. The tube 236, which is insulated at 246, is enclosed within an outer metallic tubular lead 246 joined at 249 to the inner end of the outer thermocouple element 226, the junction at 249 constituting one of the cold junctions of the thermocouple.

A metallic heat conductor 262 is joined to'the thermocouple at 226 and serves to confine the lateral flames 245 and to conduct heat from the pilot flames to the thermal junction 226 when the pilot burner is ignited. The tube 236 and tubular lead 246 connect the thermocouple elements thermoelectrically in they desired circuit as before, and, in this case, the inner thermocoupl: element constitutes directly the main pilot The embodiment shown in Figure 15 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 14 except that the tubular'member 225' constitutes only the pilot jet and does not constitute the inner thermocouple element as in the preceding embodiment of the invention. The inner and outer thermocouple elements are indicated at 260 and 262, respectively. Their outer ends are joined to form the thermal junction 263 adapted'to be heated by the pilot burner, and the member 264 constitutes a heat conductor for conducting heat from the pilot flames 245' to the thermal junction 263. The outer element 262 is joined at 266 to a metallic sleeve 261, which sleeve is, in turn, to the outer metallic tubular lead 258; The other thermocouple element 266 is joined to the metallic jet member 218, which jet member in turn is joined to the metallic fuel supply tube 235'.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 16 is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 15 except that, instead of extending the lead conductor 212 as an outer tubu- Ear member over the metallic fuel supply tube,

this lead conductor 2'32 is disposed externally of the fuel supply tube 213, and is joined at 214 to a clamping band or bracket 215 which, in turn, is joined at 2116 to the thermocouple element 262'. The other thermocouple element 266' is joined "to th metallic jet member 210 which, in turn, is

of said outer thennocouple member peripherally about the edges of said ports to form a "hot thermojunction for direct contact with the flame, a metallic fuel supply tube connected to the opposite end of said inner thermocouple memberand constituting a thermoelectric lead conductor for said inner thermocouple member, the side wall of said outer thermocouple member being spaced from said inner thermocouple member for the entry of air therebetween, port means opening laterally through the wall of said inner thermocouple member at the inner end thereof for the entry of air into said inner thermocouple member ,from the space between said inner and outer thermocouple members, port means opening laterally through the walls of said inner and outer thermocouple members adjacent the outer ends thereof for maintaining flames which sweep over the rounded outer end of the outer thermocouple member adjacent said hot thermojunction, and'lead conductor means for said outer thermocouple member, the inner end of the outer thermocouple member having 'a lateral recess and The metallic sleeves 6 and 8 in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the corresponding parts in the other embodiments of the invention, constitute the burner head or pilot head as referred to in the claims.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

1. In combination, an inner metallic tubular thermocouple member having an inwardly rounded outer endprovided with a port for a V pilot flame, an outer metallic tubular thermocouple member surrounding said inner thermocouple member and having an inwardly rounded outer end provided with a port in register with said first mentioned port, the inwardly rounded outer end of said inner thermocouple member being joined to the inwardly roundedouter end of said outer thermocouple member peripherally about the edges of said ports to form a hot"- thermojunction for direct contact with the flame,

a metallic fuel supply tube connected to the opposite end of said inner thermocouple member and constituting a thermoelectric lead conductor for said inner thermocouple member, the side wall of said outer thermocouple member being spaced from said inner thermocouple member for the entry of air therebetween, port means opening laterally through the wall of said inner thermocouple member at the inner end thereof for the entry of air into said inner thermocouple member from the space between said inner and outer thermocouple members, port means opening laterally through the walls of said inner and outer thermocouple members adjacent the outer ends thereof for maintaining flames which sweep over the rounded outer end of the outer thermocouple member adjacent said "hot thermojunction, and lead conductor means for said outer thermocouple member.

2. In combination an inner metallic tubular therm co-ple member having an inwardly rounded outer end provided with apart for a pilot flame, an outer metallic tubular thermocouple m mber surrounding said inner thermocouple member and having an inwardly rounded outer end provided with a port in register with said first mentioned port, the inwardly rounded outer end of said inner thermocouple member being joined to the inwardly rounded outer end the lead conductor means for said outer thermocouple member being joined to said outer thermocouple member internally thereof and within said recess.

3. In combination, an inner metallic tubular thermocouple member having an inwardly rounded outer end provided with a port for a pilot flame, an outer metallic tubular thermocouple member surrounding said' inner thermocouple member and having an inwardly rounded outer end provided with a port in register with said first mentioned port, the inwardly rounded outer end of said inner thermocouple member being joined to the inwardly rounded outer end of said outer thermocouple member peripherally about the edges of said ports to form a hot" thermojunction for direct contact with the flame, a metallic fuel supply tube connected to the opposite end of said inner thermocouple member and constituting a thermoelectric lead conductor for said inner thermocouple member, the side wall of said outer thermocouple member being spaced from said inner thermocouple member for the entry of air therebetween, port means opening laterally through the wall of said inner thermocouple member at the inner end thereof for the entry of air into said irmer thermocouple member from the space between said inner and outer thermocouple members, port means opening laterally through the wall of said inner and outer thermocouple members jacent the outer ends thereof for maintaining flames which sweep over the rounded outer end of the outer thermocouple member adjacent said hot thermojunction, and lead conductor means for said outer thermocouple member, said last mentioned lead conductor being joined to said outer thermocouple member externally of the inner end thereof.

4. In combination, an irmer metallic tubular thermocouple, member having an inwardly rounded outer end provided at its outer end with a port for a pilot flame, an outer metallic tubular thermocouple member surrounding said inner thermocouple member and having an inwardly rounded outer end provided at its outer end with a port in register with said first mentioned port, the inwardly rounded outer end of said inner thermocouple member being joined to the inwardly rounded outer end of said outer thermo 

